Ted Cruz Reconsidered: How Stupid Does He Think I am?

Ted Cruz recently referred to one day last week as,”… some of the darkest 24 hours in our nation’s history.” I started down a path to find several sets of 24 hours that were almost as dark and bleak. It was very difficult. Any day on the trail of tears. The Alamo (ok maybe it wasn’t OUR country yet.) The assassination of President Lincoln. Pearl Harbor. Black Friday. The assassination of President Kennedy. Kent State. Sandy Hook. Super Storm Sandy. The 1989 Loma Prieta Earthquake. Any devastating tornado in the Midwest. What Fox did to Firefly. The Immaculate Reception. (Yes Virginia, Lee was a Raider’s fan in his Youth.) The Giants choking in the 2002 World Series. Clearly all of those pale compared to the havoc wreaked by the affirmation of the Affordable Care Act (ACA, aka ObamaCare) and the validation of marriage between any 2 people across the entire US.

As I started down this path, I reread an article, which I’m sure you will find distasteful. Ted Cruz has some wonderful opinions and I really believe we need to discuss them. I understand why some people find Cruz delightful and erudite. He’s well-spoken and Christian. Both pluses in this wonderful country of ours. Of course, being one of those “well educated Liberals” that I’m sure he despises (or at best tolerates), I find much of what comes out his mouth pure nonsense. Let’s review some of the quotes in the aforementioned article.

And from the top:

“This week in response to both of these decisions, I have called for another constitutional amendment — this one that would make members of the Supreme Court subject to periodic judicial retention elections,” said Cruz.

Well golly gee Ted! What a grand idea. I know the constitution you were so found of had appointees to the Supreme Court given lifetime appointments. I think that might have had to do something with being able to be fair and balanced and follow their minds, not the whims of voters. The intent was for them NOT to need, like you, to cow tow to a base to be re-elected. Is there anything else in the constitution you don’t like? Why is the Constitution only acceptable when you get your way?

“The court’s views are radically out of step with public opinion,” said Cruz. “The Supreme Court follows the opinions of Manhattan and Washington D.C., but it doesn’t follow the opinions of America.”

Really? I’m in California and I like many of the court rulings. Even when I disagree, I agree with the fact that they are ruling and it’s the law. Oh wait, Manhattan is code for liberal. Yes, I am that. But do you really believe that taking away the health insurance from 6 million people based on a typo is a good idea? Do you honestly believe denying people equal protection under the law makes sense based on you (and let’s be honest, your religious beliefs) inability to understand that some people are different? Who are you to say that two people can’t be in love and share a life because they don’t fit your stereotype of “normal?” Why is it when the Supreme Court finds the way conservatives want, “it’s the LAW!” but if they rule in a more liberal way conservatives scream “break up the court!”, “Obama is blackmailing Roberts” or other subversive verbiage?

Courts in over 70% of the states found marriage to be civil right (no need to label it). Is your assertion that the remaining 30% are the only ones that know what is true and legal and we should ignore the other 70%? Which side of this argument are you on? Clearly not both. Why are you set on denying a significant portion of our country their civil rights? I understand it makes you uncomfortable. I really get that. But, do you tell your kids, “when something makes you comfortable, fight, ridicule and hate till it’s changed?” Nope as adults we deal with uncomfortable situations all the time. We deal with it. Grow the fuck up. Please.

The court is not supposed to follow the lead of the country. It’s the entire point of making them independent. Next you’ll want to 86 the Electoral College. A key foundation of the constitution is that some people know more. If a majority of your constitutions want you to vote one way, and a big business donor/lobbyist needs you to vote the other way, I’m sure you follow the money. Do you take a vote of your state and ALWAYS follow their wishes? No SIR, you do not.

Perhaps you believe the only good ideas come from you and are based on hate and intolerance. It appears that way to this humble author. Perhaps you’d be happier in 14th Century Italy. The church ruled everything and the decided who could and couldn’t be married. And taxed their property. And were the real power behind the rulers. Do you secretly wish your name was Medici?

I think you should put forth a proposal that we eliminate the separation of church and state and allow some Evangelical Minister to make the rules and laws. I get the sense that is what you really want. Doesn’t it ever bother you how many of them are TV, taking money from the elderly and simple minded so they can live lavishly? Oh wait, that would be you, wouldn’t it? If you want silk suits and diamonds a la Oral Roberts, or sexually adventurous secretaries to be more like Jim Bakker, I say you earn them yourself on your simple Senator’s salary of nearly $200k (plus perks from your PAC and SuperPAC).

And then there is beauty of logic

“It’s very easy for Republican politicians to stand up and say they oppose Barack Obama. That’s not hard to do,” he continued. “I think the question Republican primary voters should ask is, ‘When have you stood up against the Washington cartel? When have you stood up against leaders in our own party?'”

Really Rafael? (I think you make a better Theodore or Beaver, but what do I know?) The Washington Cartel? Aren’t you part of it? I get the views on taxes and smaller government, but you’ll have to go a long way to show me that you are not part of the establishment. Are you now “going rogue” like Sarah “the Alaskan Brain Surgeon” Palin? Are you forming your own party because the concept of Ketchup as a vegetable doesn’t go far enough? Are you standing up to say that those that don’t follow your religion should only get 3/5ths of a vote?

What lame ass things are you planning on doing? Shutting down the government didn’t work. Oh wait, after you did that, you said you didn’t. Did you (fact) or didn’t you (lie)? You do have the innate ability to be confusing. That’s political GOLD Beav! When you were a sad little boy, did you take your ball and go home because the other kids thought you looked funny? I’m guessing you threw a lot of tantrums.

If the few quotes from this recent interview doesn’t turn your tummy, here is another article detailing some of Cruz’s most ridiculous quotes. Of course that was a few months ago, most of those are now superseded. You should read those and educate yourself on the Senator who wants to be the most powerful man in the world. Free speech does not mean you can say anything you want and not be held accountable for saying it. I’m sure when you go to bed at night you often think, “Did I really say that? Will people think it is inane?” Yes, you did and yes, we do. There are a few clichés in this world. One is that the most of the people who seek public office are power hungry and totally devoid of the skills needed to hold that office. Describes you pretty well, don’t you think Ted?

The more I read and the more I learn, the less I like what you stand for. I’m just one man and this is just my opinion. I think that’s why my name is on the byline. I think it is great you are comfortable with your religion. I think it is wonderful that the citizens of Texas seem to believe in what you stand for. But to this simple Jew, I see you pandering to the religious right. It appears that you are following the golden rule to an extreme. Well, if the golden rule is “treat the people who believe and act like you as you want to be treated; fuck the others and stick them in a deep, dark hole.” I’m not Christian, but I don’t’ think that’s the golden rule. I don’t’ study scripture but didn’t Jesus preach tolerance? What changed?

Let me give you a few more dark blots on our country’s history:

Jim Bakker. Oral Roberts. Jimmy Swaggart. Bob Larson. Ted Haggard.

See a pattern? I’m guessing the people they lead astray and effectively stole from are the people you are reaching out to. Are you just another Charlatan? Seems like a very valid question to me.

Maybe I’m wrong. But I think if you ask nicely, Donald Trump will slide over and make room in his clown car for you. Right, you already yelled shotgun! taking your rightful, appropriate seat.

1 Comment

Anonymous

I am with you about Ted Cruz. Its not that I don’t think he is fully aware of Constitional law. As I understand it I think he once clerked for a justice. But his shrill hyperbole … hard to take. I also think about Newt Gingrich wanting to haul the justices before Congress everytime Newt Gingrich hears something he does not like from the SCOTUS.

Yes, Lee, the Judiciary was meant to act and behave as though the Justices might be deciding cases as thought they weren’t going to be running for president while sitting on the bench as well, or they weren’t vieing for a job hosting Good Morning America and endorsing cereals while sitting on the bench or during summer recess.

I am going to read over the decision and probably even write my own “SCOTUS opinion upholding gay marriage, aka marriage equality.

I am going to (unless and until the SCOTUS opinions change my directon) find that this is a national interstate matter affecting interstate (national) taxation and that while States stay put people, thus marriages, move thus are regulated Nationaly under Interstate Commerce like tax laws.

I am also going to find that give National jurisdiction the Frist Amendment allowing ALL religiojns to marry equally according to equal protection apply under the reasonably minded partnership between two consenting adults be applied, but sexual orientation or reproductive questions or tests be eliminated, simply life partner choices as the best non-establishment requirements of Christian v Wiccan v. Muslim etc., Any religion can marry two consenting adults the purpose of interstate commerce (federal marriage definitions) and all states should recognize federal supremacy on the matter, granted by the Commerce clause.

I expect to learn a lot from reading what the current opinions say, but the Christian base claiming the sky is falling is a little off putting to me, and Ted Cruz is usually too.